Shank taping machine



Aug. 8, 1950 R. c. SADLER SHANK TAPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1947 I INVENTOR. M

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SHANK TAPING MACHINE Aug. 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1947 fly; INVENTOR.

Aug. 8, 1950 R. c. SAQDLER SHANK TAPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 8, 1947 INVENTR.

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Patented Aug. 8, 1950 OFFIC E SHANK TAPING MACHINE Robert C. Sadler, Portsmouth, Ohio, assignor to Y The Selby Shoe Company, Portsmouth, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio"- Application December 8, 1947, Serial No. 190,245

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for wrapping tape or the like, about metal, wood, or plastic rods or bars. More particularly, it relates to a machine for wrapping gummed tape about metal shank stiffeners of the type employed in permanently cemented in the shank portion of a shoe. It is also desirable to wrap a metal shank stiffener with gummed cloth or other material so that the metal shank stiffener will not squeak when the shoe is worn.

Hand wrapping of metal shank stiffeners is inconvenient and tedious, and it has been a principal objective of the present inventor to provide a machine which automatically wraps gummed tape about a metal shank stiffener.

A further objective of the inventor has been to provide a machine which automatically cuts off from a strip of gummed tape, the amount of tape necessary for Wrapping a shank stiffener and then wraps the tape about a shank stifiener.

Briefly, the machine of this invention includes go L line 6-6 in Figure 5.

a folding mechanism for wrapping tape about a stiffener and a cut-off device which severs lengths of tape from a roll of tape prior to wrapping.

The folding mechanism comprises a pad of soft, pliable material such as foam or sponge rubber upon which a length of gummed tape is placed with a shank stiffener upon it. Hinged side pieces, which hold the sponge rubber block, bend inwardly to deform the rubber and cause it to surround the tape and shank stiffener to wrap go the tape firmly about the stiffener. The gummed"" tape is supplied from a roll, and a length of tape is preferably cut from the roll prior to folding about a stiffener. The cut-ofi'mechanism is 10- rubber block of the folding mechanism. It consists of a knife for severing lengths of tape and the cut-off device and folding mechanism operfao ate them sequentially so that a length of gummed tape is first cut from-the strip and then automatically wrapped about a shank stiffener.

' In the following detailed description the invention will be describedwith particular Ifeferis not acting on the. work.

folding mechanism.

ence to a machine forf'wrapping gummed tape about shank 'stifieners, but it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the inachine is adaptableforuse in wrapping gummed tape and the like about wood or plastic rods or staffs of various kinds as well as metal shank stiffeners, andthatthe machine can be used for wrapping various types' of tapes although it is particularly intended for wrapping adhesively coated tape about shank stiffeners for shoes. A

Other objects and further advantages of the machine will be more fully apparent from adescription of, the drawings in which: i D

Figure 1 is' aside elevational view of asha'nk covering machine constructed in accordance with this invention. f j

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in'Figure 1. H

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the'line 3-3 in Figure 1, showing the details of the cut-off device and illustrating the device in position at the start of a cut-off stroke. Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the same line as Figure3 but showing the cut-off device in its position at the end of a cut. Figure 5'is an enlarged perspective view showing the detailsof the folding mechanism and illustrating the mechanism at the startof the folding stroke. 4 j

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken along the 1 Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the folding mechanism after it has moved partially into operative position. v v I Figure 8 is a sectionalyview taken along the .same line as Figure 6 but showing the folding inechanism atthe'end of they folding operation.

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing theposition of, the actuating chainswhen the machine Figure 10 is a schematic viewshowing-the actuating chains at the vend of an operation.

Figure. 11 is anenlarged sectional view taken alongline ll li in Figure 3 showing details of cated between the roll of tape and the sponge -gp the rocker bar which, operates the cut-off device.

Figure lZ is an enlarged'sectional View taken along line. iii-i2 ,inFigure 5 showing details of the slotted connection between the parts of As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a machine for wrapping shank stiffeners, constructed" in accordance with this'inventionis shown mounted on a table it. A main supporting base II is attached to, the tablejfiby a 'fseries of angles l2 h c ee eeh gbv q w t t e t le l" 3 and base H. The left-hand end I3 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) of the base i I extends beyond the edge of the tabl Ii] while the remainder of the base rests on the table I0.

A roll of gummed tape [4 is supported on a tape carrier [6 of usual design, which in turn, rests on the right-hand portion of the base H. The tape carrier includes a pair of side members I! which define a channel l8 along which tape from the roll I4 is directed. A guide l9.

keeps the tape in the guide channel H3. The roll I4 is carried by an axle 20, the ends of which are contained in slots 2| at the right-hand end of the channel l8. A small pad of sponge rubber 22 forms part of the channel l at its left-hand end, and the tape passes over the pad 22.

A block 23 of sponge rubber, or the like, is supported in the overhanging end I 3 of the base H, and the block 23 is located a short distance beyond the left-hand end. of the channel l8 so that tape from the roll [4 can be pulled along the channel 18 and directly over the block 23. Details of construction of the block 23 can best be seen by reference to Figures 5-8 inclusive. The block is preferably made of foam or sponge rubber or other similar elastic material, which may readily be deformed by pressure but which rapidly regains its original shape when the pressure is removed. In its normal position, the block is rectangular in vertical cross-section as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The outer edges of the lower side of the block 23 rest on the base II, and the portion of the base H which underlies the cen-- tral portion of the block 23 is cut away as shown at 24 to permit the block to expand downwardly when deformed, as shown in- Figure 8.

Hinged side plates 26 on opposite sides of the sponge rubber block 23 hold it in place. The plates 26 are attached by screws 21 to the upper halves of hinges 28, while the lower halves of the hinges 28 are attached by screws 29 to the base H. Integrally formed with the side plates 26 are adjacently disposed front plates 31 and 32 attached respectively to the left and right hand plates 26. The front plate 3| has a tongue 33 extending beyond the right-hand side plate -26. A chain 34, which operates the hinged plates,

is linked in an opening 36 in the end of the tongue. The plate 32,. on the other hand, is disposed fiush against the inner side of the plate which includes the tongue 33 and reaches only partly across the front of the block 23. The plate 32 includes a slot 31 at an angleof 45 degrees to the horizontal, and, as shown in Figure 12, a bolt 38 fits through the slot 31 and a bore 39 in the front plate 3! to link the plates 3i and 32.. A hearing sleeve 4! surrounds the bolt 38. The slotted connection between the front plates 3| and 32 forces both side plates to turn inwardly together when the chain 34 is pulled downwardly, as shown in Figure 7.

When the chain 34 is pulled downwardly, the block 23 is deformed passing successively through the stages shown in Figures 6, '2 and 8. Prior to deformation, a length of tape 42 having its gummed side up, is positioned upon the block 23 and a shank stiflener 43 is laid upon the length of tape. Then, as the chain 34 is lowered, the sponge rubber of the block is deformed until it completely envelops the tape 42 and stiffener 43,

wrapping the tape about the stiffener.

Prior to being wrapped about the stifi'ener 43 the length of tape 42 should be severed from the tape in the channel IB, and a cut-01f device indicated generally at 44 is positioned between the channel 1 8 and the block 23. Operation of the cut-off device 44 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. It includes a cut-on blade 46 pivotally mounted on a plate 4'! on a pivotal connection 48 near the center of the blade 46. The plate 4'! is welded or otherwise permanently attached in a vertical position to the left-hand end (Figure 2) of the tape carrier 55 and forms a, surface against which the blade 46 shears lengths of tape from the roll 24. The blade 4!; is swung by a rocker bar 49 which is pivoted to the plate 4! by a pivot 5| near the center of the rocker bar. Details of the pivotal connections are shown in Figure 11. A pin 52 attached to and extending from the left-hand end of the rocker bar 49 bears against the lower left-hand side of the blade 46 (Figure 3). A chain 53 is attached to the right-hand end 54 of the rocker bar 49. The base I l is cut away as shown 55 to allow room for rotation of the rocker bar 49. The chain 53 passes downwardly from the rocker bar 49 over a pulley 56 carried by a bracket 5'! which bracket is attached to the lower side of the base H (Figures 3 and 4). When the chain 53 is pulled downwardly, the rocker bar 49 is rotated about the pivot 5i and the pin 52, hearing against the underside of blade 46, forces the blade to rotate into cutting position. The right-hand end of the blade 45 is hollow ground or otherwise sharpened to give a sharp cutting knife edge which cooperates with the upper edge of the plate 41 when the blade 46 is rotated into cutting position. A stop 58 limits the travel of the blade- 46, and a spring 59 connected between the left-hand end of the blade 45 and the pulley bracket 51 raises the knife edge from its cutting position when the pull on the chain is released.

As shown in Figure 1, both the chain 34, which operates the folding section of the machine and the chain 53, which operates the cut-oiT device, are connected to a treadle 6|. However, the chain 34 is sufiiciently long that it is slack, as indicated at 62', when the chain 53 is taut. 'The chain 53' includes a spring 63 which expands after the blade 46 has come to rest against the stop 58 so that the chain 34 can operate the folding mechanism after the cut-off device has severed a length of tape. The treadle 6| is a simple, foot operated treadle, an end of which is connected to a floor 64 by a hinge 66. The chains 34 and 53 are attached to the treadle BI by a ring 61 intermediate its ends; and, at the end of the treadle opposite the hinge 66, a foot pedal 58 is provided for the operator of the machine.

The operation of the machine is shown clearly by the drawings and can be explained simply by reference to the Figures 9 and 10, which show schematically the sequential operation of the parts of the machine, and by reference to the other drawings. When the machine is to be operated, tape from the roll 14 (Figures 1 and is fed along the channel [8 under the guide i9 and over the rubber pad 22. A shank stiffener is pressed down on the tape over the pad 22 to adhere to the tape, and then the tape is pulled through the cut-on? device 44 until it is positioned upon the block 23. The stifiener and tape are placed on the block 23 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and then the treadle 6| is depressed to operate the cut-off device. (See Figures 9 and 10.) Only after the blade '46 has descended against the Stop 58 to complete a cut, the spring '63 in the chain 53 expands as the treadle 61 is further depressed and the chain 34 is brought operation to swing the hinged side plates 26 about the sponge rubber block 23 to deform .the'block as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Opposite upper edges of the block 23 are forced tothe stifiener. Then pressure is released from the treadle 6| and the springs 59 and '63 raise the treadle El and knife blade 46 while the natural resilience of the sponge rubber block 23 causes it to regain its original shape. The adhesive on the tape'holds it about the stiffener 43 and the wrapped stiffener can be removed from the machine,

' Although this invention has been described with particular reference to the wrapping of flat metal shank stiifeners it should be immediately clear that the machine of this invention is readily adaptable for wrapping other types of rods or staffs having either arounded or fiat cross section. The description has been directed to the use of a tape which is adhesive on one side, but if desired, a tape free from adhesive could be employed together with a stick or rod having an adhesive coating. Many other modifications will be apparent, and it is not intended that the invention be limited by the foregoing disclosure of a preferred embodiment except as pointed out in the appended claims.

1 Having described my invention, I claim:

1 A machine for wrapping tape about a staff which comprises a block of readily pliable elastic material, hinged side members on opposite sides of said block, means for positioning a strip of tape upon said block with the staff upon said strip, the staff and strip being positioned parallel to the hinged side members, and means for swinging inward the hinged members to deform the block and cause the block to envelop the staff and tape, whereby the tape is wrapped about the staff.

2. A machine for wrapping adhesively surfaced tape about a staff which comprises a block of sponge rubber, hinged side members on opposite sides of said block, means for positioning a strip of tape upon said block adhesive side up with the staff upon said strip, the staff and strip being positioned parallel to the hinged side members, and means for swinging inward the hinged members to deform the block and cause the block to envelop the staff and tape, whereby the tape is wrapped about the staff.

3. A machine for wrapping tape having an adhesive surface about a staff which comprises a block of readily pliable elastic material, side members on opposite sides of the block, means for positioning a strip of tape upon said block adhesive side up with a staff upon said strip of tape, the staff and tape being positioned parallel to the hinged side members, a cutting blade for severing lengths of tape, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade and for swinging inward the hinged side members to deform the block and cause the block to envelop the shank stiffener and tape, whereby a length of tape is cut from the strip and wrapped about the staff.

4. A machine for wrapping tape having an adhesive surface about a staff which comprises a block of sponge rubber, hinged side members on opposite sides of the block, a roll of tape, means for guiding a strip of tape from said roll to position the free end of said strip of tape upon said block adhesive side up with a staff upon said tape, the staff and tape being positioned parallel to-the hinged side members, a cutting blade for severing lengths of tape located between said roll and said block, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade to sever a length of tape and for swinging inward the hinged side members to deform the block and cause the block to envelop the shank stiffener and tape, whereby a length of tape is cut from the strip and wrapped about the staff.

5. A machine for wrapping tape having an adhesive surface about a shank stiffener for a shoe which comprises a block of sponge rubber, hinged side members on opposite sidesof the block, a roll of tape, means for guiding a strip of tape from said roll to position the free end of said strip of tape upon said block adhesive side up with'a shank stiffener upon said tape, the shank stiffener and tape being positioned parallel to the hinged side members, a cutting blade for severing lengths of tape located between said roll and said block, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade to sever a length of tape and for swinging inward the hinged side members to deform the block to envelop the shank stiffener and tape, whereby a length of tape is cut from the strip and wrapped about t the shank stiffener.

6. A machine for covering a shank stiffener for a shoe with tape, which machine comprises, a roll of absorbent tape, said tape having a coating of adhesive on one side, means for rotatably supporting said roll, guide means for guiding a strip of tape from said roll along a pathway; a vertical metal shear plate attached to said guide means at the end thereof away from said roll, a block of sponge rubber spaced from said shear plate, hinged side members on opposite sides of said block, said hinged side members being mounted parallel to the centerline of said pathway, whereby tape from said pathway is guided over said block and parallel to said hinged side members, a cutting blade located between said roll and said block, said cutting blade cooperating with said shear plate to sever lengths of tape, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade and for swinging inward said hinged side members to force opposite upper edges of said block together, whereby said cutting blade severs a length of tape from said strip and then said block is deformed so that the tape and a shank stiffener mounted thereon are enveloped by the block to wrap the tape about the shank stiffener.

7. A machine for covering a shank stiffener for a shoe with tape, which machine comprises, a source of absorbent tape, said tape having a coating of adhesive on one side, guide means for guiding a strip of tape from said source along a pathway; a vertical metal shear plate attached to said guide means at the end thereof away from said roll, a block of readily deformable plastic material spaced from said shear plate, hinged side members on opposite sides of said block, said hinged side members being mounted parallel to the centerline of said pathway, whereby tape from said pathway is guided over said block and parallel to said hinged side members, a cutting blade located between said roll and said block, said cutting blade cooperating with said shear plate to sever lengths of tape, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade and for swinging inward said hinged side members to force opposite upper edges of said block together, whereby said cutting blade severs a length of tape from said strip and then said block is de- "formed so; that the tape anda shank stiffener mounted thereon are enveloped by the block to wrap the tape about the shank stifi'enen- 8; A machine for covering a shank stifiener for ashoe with tape, which machine comprises, a source of absorbent tape, said tape having a coating of adhesive on one side, guide means for guiding a strip of tape from said source along a patl-i-way, a block of readily deformable plastic material spaced from said pathway, hinged. side members on opposite sides of said block, said hinged side members being mounted parallel to the centerline of said pathway, whereby tape fromsaid pathway is guided over said block and parallel to said hinged side members, a cutting device for severing lengths of tape located between said pa-thway and said block, and means for sequentially operating said cutting device and for swinging inward said hinged side members to force opposite upper edges of said block together, whereby said cutting device seversa length of tape from said strip and then said block is deformed so that the tape and a shank stiffener mounted thereon are enveloped by the block. to wrap the tape about the shank stifiener.

9 A machine for covering a shank stiffener for a shoe with tape, which machine comprises, a roll of absorbent tape, said tape having a coating of adhesive on one side, means for rotatably supporting said roll, guide means for guiding a strip of tape from said roll along a pathway, a vertical metal shear plate attached to said guide means at the end thereof. away from said roll, a pad of sponge rubber under said pathway adjacent to said shear plate providing a resilient support for the tape for applications of; a shank stiffener prior to severance of the tape, a block of sponge rubber on the opposite sidev of said shear :plate in spaced relation therefrom, hinged side members on opposite sides of said block, said hingedside members being mounted parallel to the centerli-ne of said pathway, whereby tape from said pathway is guided over saidblock and. parallel to said hinged side members, a cutting blade located between said pad and said block, said cut.- ting blade cooperating with said plate tosever lengths of tape, and means for sequentially operating said cutting blade and for swinging in.- ward said hinged side members to force opposite edges of said block together, whereby said cutting blade severs a length of tape from said strip to leave a free end of tape upon said pad, and then said block is deiormed so that the tape and a shank stiffener mounted thereon are enveloped by the block to wrap the tape about the shank stiffener.

ROBERT C. SADLER.

earnestness push!) The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED I STATES PATENTS I 2,446,490 Scherer Aug, 3, 1948 

